Session: 2021-2022
ACLU-PA Position: Supports
SB 1040 would amend the Crime Victims Act to provide better notification to surviving family members of a murder victim. The bill would require law enforcement to make reasonable efforts to ensure the victim's next-of-kin has been notified of the death before publicly releasing the murder victim's identity, except when identifying the victim before then is necessary to the investigation of the crime or prosecution of the perpetrator. However, medical personnel would be prohibited from releasing the victim's identity within 24-hours from when the next-of-kin was notified of the death by either medical personnel or law enforcement.
Check the bill's status here.
